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Overview

Details

Property

villa

Sleeps

8

Bedrooms

4

Bathrooms

2

Half Baths

2

Minimum Stay

4 nights

Description

Prines Villa Rental Photos and Description

A Pretty Villa With A Large Private Pool (Rithymna Mansion).

Rithymna Mansion is a wonderful choice for a distinctive holiday. It is situated on the edge of the old traditional village named Prines, 350 meters above sea level, 3 km only from the sea coast and 6 km from the centre of the old town of Rethymno in Northern Crete. It offers a combination of amazing views on the Aegean Sea, the peninsula Akrotiri and the White Mountains. It is a very comfortable mansion of 264 m2 on a 4000 m2 plot, full of fruit and olive trees. Large living areas inside and outside, a large and deep swimming pool, classic or antique furnishing, sunny terraces and yards, verandas and balconies, garden corners and exceptional amenities, are the basis for your high quality holiday.

What makes Rithymna Mansion unique, is the ability to breath sea and mountain air, combined with staggering views over the sea, mountains and green foliage. The closeness and direct access to the historical town of Rethymno, with it's long sandy beaches and vibrant night life, will ensure a holiday that you will never forget.

Rithymna Mansion has a valid license authorized by the National Organization for Tourism. It is ideal for families, or groups of friends, who desire a large and aesthetically pleasing villa, for a private and pleasurable holiday. Up to 8 individuals can be accommodated comfortably.

Idyllic slice of heaven in Crete, a secluded palace and a home.

I take a long long time deciding where to take my family each year, work is very tough on my time and the two weeks we get each summer is priceless to me. I like to have all the boxes ticked and not settle for missing wants.

I stumbled upon Giorgos and his once old family residence while looking at villas in Crete. The villa is situated in a small, and very friendly village. Set in Beautiful gardens with fruit trees and vines, it is the real crowning jewel of the few villas in the surrounding area.

If you were to be bought blindfolded to the villa and not leave your entire stay, I believe you may only see the lovely Maria (housekeeper) from your secluded rural fortress that is now home. You arrive and feel an immediate weight rise off you, all you need is only moments away with local restaurants, coffee shops and grocery stores; but then you shut the regal gate behind you and it as though you have stepped into your own private palace.

Maria who looks after all house cleaning and keeps the house ship shape is a miracle work, or possibly magician. We stayed a full 2 weeks and she cleans everything top to bottom alternate days a week (all bedding, towels etc). What Amazed me was that unless you called out to say hello or needed something she was invisible. It is a huge house but with 8 in the family all in at the same time it was a great talent.

The Villa/home/palace wow!!! I do not have the words to fully describe it. You see gentle hints of the past and warmth from what was originally a full time family home. History is in the brick as they say. Giorgos has beautifully combined the modern with the traditional which is exactly my style. From arrival you want for nothing, the house, LAKE of a pool and all surrounding gardens are so perfectly cared for and tendered we fell into the illusion it was home! PERFECT!

Mr Giorgos, from booking to arrival and through stay he beyond exceeded all expectations. I have stayed in villas across the world for over ten years and never have I been met by such a warm, intelligent and caring man. The list of how he went above and beyond for us as a family is humbling and would embarrass such a gentleman. Simply the host and a good friend I am keen to see again soon.

During your stay make use of mr Giorgos's knowledge of his island. We were sent on so many beautiful adventures and ideally no tourist noise or feel.

This holiday for us was so much more, we found a home away from home and the best summer to date. �

Submitted: Sep 14, 2016

Stayed: Aug 2016

Source: Owners Direct, from HomeAway

Owner's Response: Dearest Sam & family,
A big big THANK YOU, for the effort in submitting this review, & for your overwhelming kindness in writing all the details you enjoyed during your stay. I feel that we will definitely meet again soon. Be well,
Giorgos

Wonderful week at Rethymna Mansion

We stayed at the mansion for a week. Georgos met us in Prines and guided us to the mansion and then showed us around. The mansion is very spacious and the grounds and pool are amazing. The views are spectacular and the location peaceful. If you want to to get away from it all this is perfect. There are some nice tavernas in Prines. We ate at Giannikos. The owner Yannis was very friendly and hospitable and the food great. Rethymnon is only 10 mins away and is a lovely town. We spent a few nights exploring the shops and streets and eating by the Venetian harbour. Finally l have to mention that Georgos was also very helpful in liaising with the car rental company when there was a problem with the car rental company and got it sorted for us. I wouldn't hesitate to return to Rethymna Mansion. Lovely villa, lovely location. First class. Thanks Georgia's.

Dave and Ree Ockenden

Submitted: Aug 22, 2016

Stayed: Aug 2016

Source: HomeAway

Owner's Response: Dear Dave & Ree,
Thank you for your effort in reviewing your stay. It was very nice to get a glimpse of a truly happy family. Looking forward to seeing you again in the near future. All the best,
Giorgos

Perfect in every way

We had stayed in Prines as a mature couple the previous year and found what a lovely village and location it was, with such easy access to Rethymnon, the South Coast and the beaches. Prines also has a wonderful top reviewed taverna, Giannikos Taverna run by Yannis and this alone makes this villa such an excellent choice, being only a five minute walk away through the village.

So deciding to return with the family and grandchildren, we researched larger villas during our previous stay and chose Rithmyma Mansion.

What an excellent choice, it was pure luxury. As grandparents we enjoyed a beautiful air conditioned bedroom with en suite and dressing room, opening on to a lovely garden terrace adjacent to the pool. The family and 2 young grandchildren, 3 & 5 had a large bedroom each upstairs, also opening on to a balcony and with their own bathroom. The arrangement was perfect.

The level of service was simply excellent. Maria the maid looked after everything daily and the facilities were serviced by a pool man and a gardener.

However it was the hospitality of Georgis that excelled. He had provided fruit and drinks in abundance on our arrival, he was always available if needed, yet never intrusive, and joined us for dinner in our final week at the local taverna, insisting on hosting us.

The pool was splendid, as was the pool furniture and parasols and with such excellent facilities the children were swimming and diving without armbands within a week.

We highly recommend this villa, for us it was a very special time together enhanced by staying in such a beautiful serviced house run by such a generous, thoughful and helpful host.

Submitted: Aug 15, 2016

Stayed: Jul 2016

Source: Owners Direct, from HomeAway

Owner's Response: Dear Dennis & family,
Thank you for your kindest review, I really appreciated it. It was lovely meeting you and getting to chat a little. I don't know if my hospitality excelled, but I try my best to please all my guests and especially guests as yourself. Hoping to meet again in the near future. Take care,
Giorgos

Fabulous Villa!

We were recently in Crete for the first time for a family wedding and stayed at Rithymna Mansion. There were 8 adults and a baby. The house is just fabulous - so much space, with an eating area for every part of the day to catch sun or shade, balconies around the bedrooms, great views towards the sea and mountains, and glorious sunsets. Gardens were beautiful with olive and fruit trees in the orchard, fresh oranges and lemons.

The pool is large and deep with plenty of seating and shades. There is also a large barbecue area where we entertained all the family one evening - 25 of us! The kitchen is very well equipped with everything imaginable.

We cannot praise this villa highly enough. It is a family home, well maintained and well loved. Maria comes to clean each day, the gardeners keep the flower gardens immaculate and the pool man can be heard in the mornings!

Giorgos and his mother were delightful, helpful and very generous. Our welcome pack of fruit, wine and bread was incredible. Giorgos even bought a new highchair for the baby - thank you.

Maybe one small negative would be having to share bathrooms, but it was no problem really and Giorgos has plans to improve this.

Situated a few minutes from beaches, a taverna and Rethymnon it is an ideal spot for a holiday base.

Submitted: Jun 22, 2016

Stayed: Jun 2016

Source: HomeAway

Owner's Response:
Dearest Jan & friends,
Thank you so much for being such excellent guests right from the start - with my mother actually welcoming you as an exception. I do wish to welcome you back to Crete myself, some time in the future.
Be well,
Giorgos

Fantastic property

Fantastic week here giorgious the owner could not do enough to ensure you had a great holiday

We will defiantly be returning to this villa

We thought we had a good villa in kefalonia last year,but this one surpassed it

If I could give more than 5* I would!

Thanks for a great break

Mr a collyer

Submitted: Jun 9, 2016

Stayed: May 2016

Source: HomeAway

Owner's Response: Dearest Andrew,
A big THANK YOU seems very little in response to your review concerning your stay at the villa. I'll make sure to let Homeaway know that a 6 star rating is needed in some cases :-)
Looking very much forward to seeing you & family, and spending some time together next year round. Until we do - I wish for you only the best!
Say hello to everybody in the family for me please,
Giorgos

Beautiful villa with stunning views

Our family of four recently stayed at the Rythimna Mansion for eight nights with another family of four. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. From the time we booked, through our arrival and departure, the owner Giorgos was incredibly helpful. He offered to meet us in the town outside the villa because it can be a bit tricky to find. This was so helpful as the roads are narrow and it was our first time to the island. He spent almost an hour walking us around the property, explaining everything we would need to know and answering all of our questions. It was obvious how proud he is of this property and for good reason.

The villa is huge. While there were 8 of us, we never felt crowded. The grounds are spectacular. The pool is huge and the views of the mountains and the sea incredible. The orchard on the property was an added perk. We loved picking oranges and lemons for freshly squeezed juice. It was also nice to be able to walk into the little village of Prines, down the narrow streets and buy freshly baked bread or eat at the local taverna.

The location is perfect for day trips around the island. We drove to the Imbroys gorge one day for a great hike. Another day we drove to Chania to walk the streets of the old town and take a boat tour. Another day we drove down to the beaches on the south shore and another day we drove to the Sfendoni cave- well worth seeing. The villa is just outside Rythimna- a five minute drive. We often went into the old town to explore the narrow streets, the shops and the restaurants. Parking down by the port is easy. Getting a taxi into town is simple and reasonable too.

Giorgos was so helpful in finding us a babysitter so we could go out for dinner. He even joined us one evening, which was such a treat. We loved learning about his experience living in Crete and getting his advice about sites to see and places to eat. He was so generous, leaving us a fridge full of fruit, drinks and other groceries to get us started. We also really appreciated having Maria around. She came in to clean once during our stay, but was often cleaning the grounds other days. It was like staying in a hotel, but with the added bonus of privacy and having the pool to ourselves.

We would absolutely stay here again and would highly recommend it to others. We are dreaming of returning again soon.

Submitted: May 1, 2016

Stayed: Apr 2016

Source: VRBO, from HomeAway

Owner's Response: Dear Meghan & Matt, Jeff & Jen,
It was a real pleasure to meet you and get to spend a little time together over dinner. A big big thank you for all the wonderful details that you mention, and for making the effort to submit this review. I do hope to see you in your next time round the island. Take extra care,
Giorgos

Map

Nearest Airport

70
Kilometres

Chania Airport

Nearest Ferry

6
Kilometres

Rethymno

Nearest Beach

6
Kilometres

Episkopi

Car: recommended

Prines is a small ancient village, with some houses dating back to Venetian times, having olive trees, oak trees and much vegetation. Located 5 km to the hillside to the west of the seaside town of Rethymno, and undisturbed by heavy traffic, it is an ideal location for those who love and enjoy a quiet, peaceful life. The Venetian occupation of Crete (1204 – 1669 AD) has left its traces on Prines, which, together with the nearby village of Vederi, are classified as “preserved traditional settlements”. In the north part of the village you see the old village spring and nearby the St. Nicolas church, built in the 13th century. The old houses of the village were constructed a century ago with stone and wood, according to tradition, with half a meter thick walls.

At night the city of Rethymno, 6 km away from the mansion, offers you the excitement of intense night life in bars and tavernas within the town and next to the sea. Rethymno, being a well-disciplined holiday resort, affords you the freedom to stroll safely through its streets, even during the small hours of the morning.